Unlike generic compression formats like ZIP or RAR, CHD is designed specifically for disc images. It compresses the data and audio tracks while keeping the internal structure intact, allowing compatible emulators to read the game directly from the compressed file without needing to extract it first. Why You Should Convert Sega Saturn ROMs to CHD
Most Saturn games were originally distributed as CD-ROMs. Traditionally, digital copies are stored as a mix of .cue , .bin , and sometimes .wav files. While functional, this format is messy and inefficient. CHD offers several key advantages:
If you prefer a visual interface over command scripts, use a community tool like or CUE2CHD . These applications serve as a graphical skin for CHDMAN, allowing you to simply drag and drop your Saturn folders and click "Convert." Emulator Compatibility: Which Backends Support CHD?
You will see a progress percentage indicator for each data and audio track.
Most modern Sega Saturn emulators support the .chd format directly, offering seamless loading.
When you rip a Sega Saturn game disc, the data is typically extracted into a pair of files: a .bin file containing the raw game data and audio tracks, and a .cue text file that tells the emulator how to read those tracks. While effective, this method is highly inefficient.